Waterbury evening Democrat., 1887-12-14
LABOR FEDERATION.
MEETING OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
 AT BALTIMORE.

President Gompers Pays His Respects to
 the Ignorant and Metaphysical Re-
 formers," and Asserts that No Conflict IS
 Necessary Between Labor Organizations.
 BALTIMORE, Dec. I4.-Nearly all Of the first days session of the American Federa- tion of Labor, now in session here, was con- sumed in speeches made by President Gom- pers, of the organization, and Mayor LatroDe, of Baltimore. The latter welcomed the delegates and the president made a suitable reply.
 Tho committee on credentials reported In favor of seating all delegates who had ar rived, but an exception was made in the case of Delegates Oster and Harvey, of the Dis trict of Columbia, who were declared ene- mics to the cause of united labor, and after a heated discussion they were refused the right to sit in the convention.
 Then came the reading of the report of the head of the Federation, which was listened to with the closest attention. Said he: "1n consequence of the false teachings of ignor- ant and metaphysical reformers trades unions were denounced as effete institutions, and every enemy of labor had his hand and voice raised against them" He then alluded to the growth of the organization, which, hotWltuSOduuluR oppOoieAoA, AoN AoA Soo recognition. He also said: "There is no conflict necessary between trades unions and the Knights of Labor. Let us hope that the near future will bring them back to the fold" These references called forth the most enthusiastic demonstrations of ap- proval, showing that the convention was fully in accord with it's president.
 CHICAGO, Dec. A. - General Worthy Foreman Griff1ths was interviewed yester- day as to the probability of the union of the American Federation of Lahor, which is now holding its annual convention at Balti- more, and the Knights of Labor. sHe said ''Sucll action may be under consideration by the general executive board of the Knights of Labor, but if so have no knowl edge of it. 1 have never heard expressed any objection to such a union, and I believe 1t would be received in very friendly spirit. The object of the Knights of Labor is to assist and hold friendly relations with all trade unions. We are willing to take into our organization all men who work for an honest living, from the common day laborer to the most skilled and finished workman. Hence it would be the policy of the order to receive into it's membership any or all of the unions or assemblies belonging to the American Federation of Labor
 "But, in my opinion, there would need to be, first of all, 0 dissolution of that organl- zation, in order that each trade should enter the Knights as 8 separate body of workers. There is no possibility of the Knights of La. bor giving up its identity and going into any other organization-at least, not just al present.. So far as the cigarmakers are con cerned the situation is simply this Not al of their unions belong to the Federation by any means; we have still a number of them At Minneapolis rules were passed allowing all to come back as assemblies or as individ uals without fee, unless indebted to the order when they left it. At that meeting we adopted cigar label. This we insist shall be placed upon our cigars. The Cigar makers International union will not ac knowledge any but tLeir blue label. Te compromise, we agreed to allow both labels on the boxes They are still opposed. Int question is one that should be easily settled.
 twill the withdrawal of the so called rebels or 'kickers, have anything to do il bringing about the union of the two or ganizations, in order that the Knights should gain strengthT' was asked.
 ''First of all, there have been but few withdrawals, and these do not affect us w. are glad to be rid of them. They are not drop in the bucket, and could have no possi ble effect"